Effect of exogenous melatonin on the antioxidant defense system in the liver and small intestine of the Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus)

Background. Due to the growing light pollution and the development of new territories, including northern ones, the search for drugs that increase the adaptive capacity of the organism is promising.The aim. We studied the effects of the exogenous melatonin (100 µg/day/animal) on antioxidant status of liver and small intestine in Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) in the light conditions of North-West of Russia (Petrozavodsk, northern lighting – NL).Materials and methods. Female hamsters were exposed to a 12/12 light/dark cycle (LD; n = 12) or NL for 3 months. In NL light conditions hamsters were divided into two groups: NL-control (received placebo; n = 12) and NL-mel (received melatonin; n = 12). The study was conducted from the period of the summer solstice – June 25 (NL: 19.36/4.24) to September 25 (NL: 12/12) (autumn equinox).Results. Animals were kept in the NL conditions had decreased the levels of GSH and activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase) at initial stage of experiment as well as increased TBA reactive substances (TBARS) level at the beginning and after a month of the experiment in the liver in comparison to control (LD). It was observed that in the small intestine the activities of SOD and the levels of GSH (initial and intermediate stages) and TBARS (end of the experiment) were significantly higher in NL in comparison to LD. Liver and small intestine TBARS concentrations after one and three months of the experiment were decreased in NL-mel in comparison to NL-control.Conclusion. The results of the study indicate the sensitivity of the antioxidant defense system in the tissues of the liver and small intestine of Syrian hamster to the photoperiod and exogenous melatonin. The present study revealed that exogenous melatonin was able to reduce the level of TBARS and increase the activity of SOD and CAT in the light conditions of North-West of Russia

Effects of experimental domestication of silver foxes (Vulpes vulpes) on vocal behaviour

This paper systematizes and generalizes a research cycle devoted to studying the acoustics and vocal behaviour of silver foxes that differ in their tolerance to humans. The research revealed that 50-year selection for tameness toward people resulted in selective use by Tame foxes toward humans of two call types, pant and cackle. At the same time, the selected for aggression toward people Aggressive foxes and the non-selected for behaviour Control foxes, selectively use toward humans cough and snort. Thus, call types representing vocal indicators of friendly and aggressive behaviour of foxes toward humans have been revealed by the research. Nevertheless, experimental domestication did not change vocal behaviour of foxes toward conspecifics; all three strains did not differ by their vocal behaviour toward same-strain silver foxes. Relationship has been investigated between vocal behaviour and degree of tolerance toward people for hybrids between Tame and Aggressive foxes and for backcrosses to Tame and Aggressive foxes. Effect was estimated between fox sex and the degree of human impact on focal fox for variables of fox vocal behaviour. The research revealed the universal for mammals vocal indicators of emotional arousal that are independent of the emotional valence. Characteristics of vocal behaviour that are related with positive and negative emotional valence have been revealed. A simple and effective method for estimating animal discomfort based on ”joint calls” that takes into account the characteristics of all calls irrespective of their acoustic structure has been revealed. The obtained results provide a basis for further comparative studies of the acoustic structure and vocal behaviour for other taxa of the genus Vulpes and the related canid genera (Canis, Cuon, Lycaon)

Разнообразие паразитов и микроорганизмов у каспийских сельдевых рыб

The aim of the study was to investigate a species composition of parasites and microorganisms and determine infection rate of Caspian herrings. Methods and materials. The objects of the study were Caspian and big-eyed shad, Alosa braschnikowi, that were caught at the aquatic area of the Northern Caspian Sea in spring period 2014, 2015. Collection and processing material was carried out in accordance with generally accepted methods in parasitology and microbiology. Scientists used determinants in species identification. Results and discussion. Parasitophauna of Alosa braschnikowi, Caspian and big-eyed shads were presented by 7 species, relative to classes: Monogenoidea - 1; Crustacea - 1; Trematoda - 2; Nematoda - 2; Acanthocephala - 1. Wide-ranging enteral trematodes Pseudopentagramma symmetricum induce high level of infection of herrings. Fauna is the most variously presented by Caspian big-eyed shads. Fluctuations in parasitophauna structure are connected with ecological conditions, food chains and specificity of parasites to theirs hosts. Indicators of transformation processes of ecosystems are indicator species of parasites and fish microorganisms. As a part of the study it is estimated, that internal organs and gills of herrings were contaminated by microorganisms. The maximum number of bacterium was noted in intestines and gills. The Enterobacteriaceae microorganisms held the dominant position. Besides bacterium there are have been revealed cystophores of micromycetes in liver and spleen in the process of organs microscopic examination. All revealed parasites and microorganisms were characterized by epizootic and epidemiologic significance. However they coexist on the level of symptom-free carriage, without exhibiting the development of invasive and infectious processes in the body of the examined fishes.Цель исследований - изучить видовой состав паразитов и микроорганизмов, а также определить степень зараженности каспийских сельдевых рыб. Материалы и методы. Объектами исследований служили каспийский и большеглазый пузанок, долгинская сельдь, выловленные на акватории Северного Каспия в весенний период 2014-2015 гг. С целью изучения паразитофауны морских сельдевых рыб патологоанатомическому вскрытию подвергнуто 88 экз. долгинской сельди и 36 экз. каспийского пузанка. Для микробиологических исследований отобрано по 15 экз. каспийского и большеглазого пузанков. Учитывали число мезофильных аэробных и факультативно-анаэробных микроорганизмов, видовой состав бактерий, их факторы патогенности и антибиотикорезистентность. Сбор и обработку материала осуществляли в соответствии с общепринятыми в паразитологии и микробиологии методиками. При видовой идентификации использовали определители. Результаты и обсуждение. Паразитофауна долгинской сельди, каспийского и большеглазого пузанков представлена 7 видами, относящимися к классам: Monogenoidea - 1, Crustacea - 1, Trematoda - 2, Nematoda - 2, Acanthocephala - 1. Сельдевые рыбы вызывали широко распространенные кишечные трематоды Pseudopentagramma symmetricum. Наиболее разнообразно фауна паразитов представлена у каспийского пузанка. Флуктуации в структуре паразитофауны связаны с условиями среды обитания, трофическими связями и специфичностью паразитов к своим хозяевам. Показателями происходящих процессов трансформации экосистем являются индикаторные виды паразитов и микроорганизмы рыб. В ходе исследований установлено, что внутренние органы и жабры сельдевых рыб были заражены микроорганизмами. Максимальная численность бактерий отмечена в кишечнике и жабрах. Доминирующее положение занимали микроорганизмы сем. Enterobacteriaceae. Кроме бактерий, в печени и селезенке рыб при микроскопировании отпечатков органов выявлены гифы микромицетов. Все обнаруженные паразиты и микроорганизмы характеризовались эпизоотической или эпидемиологической значимостью, при этом, они сосуществовали на уровне бессимптомного носительства, не вызывая развития инвазионных и инфекционных процессов в организме обследованных рыб

Разнообразие паразитов и микроорганизмов каспийских сельдевых рыб

The aim of the study was to investigate a species composition of parasites and microorganisms and determine infection rate of Caspian herrings. Methods and materials. The objects of the study were Caspian and big-eyed shad, Alosa braschnikowi, that were caught at the aquatic area of the Northern Caspian Sea in spring period 2014, 2015. Collection and processing material was carried out in accordance with generally accepted methods in parasitology and microbiology. Scientists used determinants in species identification. Results and discussion. Parasitophauna of Alosa braschnikowi, Caspian and big-eyed shads were presented by 7 species, relative to classes: Monogenoidea - 1; Crustacea - 1; Trematoda - 2; Nematoda - 2; Acanthocephala - 1. Wide-ranging enteral trematodes Pseudopentagramma symmetricum induce high level of infection of herrings. Fauna is the most variously presented by Caspian big-eyed shads. Fluctuations in parasitophauna structure are connected with ecological conditions, food chains and specificity of parasites to theirs hosts. Indicators of transformation processes of ecosystems are indicator species of parasites and fish microorganisms. As a part of the study it is estimated, that internal organs and gills of herrings were contaminated by microorganisms. The maximum number of bacterium was noted in intestines and gills. The Enterobacteriaceae microorganisms held the dominant position. Besides bacterium there are have been revealed cystophores of micromycetes in liver and spleen in the process of organs microscopic examination. All revealed parasites and microorganisms were characterized by epizootic and epidemiologic significance. However they coexist on the level of symptom-free carriage, without exhibiting the development of invasive and infectious processes in the body of the examined fishes.Цель исследований - изучить видовой состав паразитов и микроорганизмов, а также определить степень зараженности каспийских сельдевых рыб. Материалы и методы. Объектом исследований служили каспийский и большеглазый пузанок, долгинская сельдь, выловленные на акватории Северного Каспия в весенний период 2014 г., 2015 г. Сбор и обработку материала осуществляли в соответствии с общепринятыми в паразитологии и микробиологии методиками. При видовой идентификации использовали определители. Результаты и обсуждение. Паразитофауна долгинской сельди, каспийского и большеглазого пузанков была представлена 7 видами, относящимися к классам: Monogenoidea - 1; Crustacea - 1; Trematoda - 2; Nematoda - 2; Acanthocephala - 1. Высокую степень инвазии сельдевых рыб вызывали широко распространенные кишечные трематоды Pseudopentagramma symmetricum. Наиболее разнообразно фауна паразитов представлена у каспийского пузанка. Флуктуации в структуре паразитофауны связаны с условиями среды обитания, трофическими связями и специфичностью паразитов к своим хозяевам. Показателями происходящих процессов трансформации экосистем являются индикаторные виды паразитов и микроорганизмы рыб. В ходе исследований установлено, что внутренние органы и жабры сельдевых рыб были контаминированы микроорганизмами. Максимальная численность бактерий отмечена в кишечнике и жабрах. Доминирующее положение занимали микроорганизмы сем. Enterobacteriaceae. Кроме бактерий в печени и селезенке рыб при микроскопировании отпечатков органов выявлены гифы микромицетов. Все обнаруженные паразиты и микроорганизмы характеризовались эпизоотической или эпидемиологической значимостью, при этом, они сосуществовали на уровне бессимптомного носительства, не вызывая развитие инвазионных и инфекционных процессов в организме обследованных рыб

Long-term disease control in advanced renal cell cancer with brain metastases with pazopanib (case report and literature review)

We report the case of advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma with brain, pulmonary, hepatic and bone metastases treated with pazopanib.We observed the complete response in brain metastases and stable extracranial disease after 4 years of the treatment. According to the literature review this is the first reported case of complete response to pazopanib in brain metastases in renal cell carcinoma

Panethnic Differences in Blood Pressure in Europe: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND: People of Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) and South Asians(SA) ethnic minorities living in Europe have higher risk of stroke than native Europeans(EU). Study objective is to provide an assessment of gender specific absolute differences in office systolic(SBP) and diastolic(DBP) blood pressure(BP) levels between SSA, SA, and EU. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies conducted in Europe that examined BP in non-selected adult SSA, SA and EU subjects. Medline, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched from their inception through January 31st 2015, for relevant articles. Outcome measures were mean SBP and DBP differences between minorities and EU, using a random effects model and tested for heterogeneity. Twenty-one studies involving 9,070 SSA, 18,421 SA, and 130,380 EU were included. Compared with EU, SSA had higher values of both SBP (3.38 mmHg, 95% CI 1.28 to 5.48 mmHg; and 6.00 mmHg, 95% CI 2.22 to 9.78 in men and women respectively) and DBP (3.29 mmHg, 95% CI 1.80 to 4.78; 5.35 mmHg, 95% CI 3.04 to 7.66). SA had lower SBP than EU(-4.57 mmHg, 95% CI -6.20 to -2.93; -2.97 mmHg, 95% CI -5.45 to -0.49) but similar DBP values. Meta-analysis by subgroup showed that SA originating from countries where Islam is the main religion had lower SBP and DBP values than EU. In multivariate meta-regression analyses, SBP difference between minorities and EU populations, was influenced by panethnicity and diabetes prevalence. CONCLUSIONS: 1) The higher BP in SSA is maintained over decades, suggesting limited efficacy of prevention strategies in such group in Europe;2) The lower BP in Muslim populations suggests that yet untapped lifestyle and behavioral habits may reveal advantages towards the development of hypertension;3) The additive effect of diabetes, emphasizes the need of new strategies for the control of hypertension in groups at high prevalence of diabetes

The potential to encode sex, age, and individual identity in the alarm calls of three species of Marmotinae

In addition to encoding referential information and information about the sender’s motivation, mammalian alarm calls may encode information about other attributes of the sender, providing the potential for recognition among kin, mates, and neighbors. Here, we examined 96 speckled ground squirrels (Spermophilus suslicus), 100 yellow ground squirrels (Spermophilus fulvus) and 85 yellow-bellied marmots (Marmota flaviventris) to determine whether their alarm calls differed between species in their ability to encode information about the caller’s sex, age, and identity. Alarm calls were elicited by approaching individually identified animals in live-traps. We assume this experimental design modeled a naturally occurring predatory event, when receivers should acquire information about attributes of a caller from a single bout of alarm calls. In each species, variation that allows identification of the caller’s identity was greater than variation allowing identification of age or sex. We discuss these results in relation to each species’ biology and sociality